Monday, May 16, 2011

A Strategy Change Needed From "Placate and Capitulate" to "Force and Fear"

It is a universal truth that some are won over by love and others through fear. Those without a natural malice toward others are naturally drawn by acts of love and charity. Those who harbor ill-will and whose natural tendency it is to harm others, typically require a solid dose of fear to encourage change in their inclinations toward others.

It is wise to keep this in mind as we peruse the deluge of reporting and Monday morning quarterbacking of the unfolding events following the demise of Osama Bin Laden. The only truly wise thing I have heard from the typical news agencies and prognosticators in the past two weeks has come from an unlikely source. During Mike Huckabee's show Sunday night, Ted Nugent was asked if he thought the removal of Osama Bin Laden from the roles of the living would have a significant affect on the war/unwar. His answer was definitive and without hesitation; No. Score one for common sense and understanding!

It's too bad our illustrious leadership in the alabaster halls of the Dark City aren't as knowing; or at least as candid. I have heard a number of speeches and commentary littered with contradiction and political innuendo all with a clear design and that design is to send a message - in some cases to multiple audiences. Even the "disposal" of the murderer's body was orchestrated to send a message. Of course, that act was ill-conceived and will probably have caused far more damage than good once the carnage is cleared and analyzed through the prism of history. If you remove the fact that a non-uniformed enemy of this nation was given the distinct honor of being buried in our most profoundly solemn form, from the deck of a US Naval vessel, what is left is a laundry list of questions.

Friend and author, Andy Bostom delineated the incredible ineptitude and lack of understanding in the handling of the late scum's carcass by blowing a one time chance to send an indelible message to the pronounced enemies of this nation. Instead of treating him with the disdain he has so efficiently and maliciously shown the men, women and children of this nation, we chose instead to show him deference for his adherence to the very demonically influenced doctrine that motivated his perverse actions to begin with. What would have been more appropriate? How about using his carcass for chum and sending a four points bulletin to the world; "Don't Tread On Me!"

In another one of the more painful speeches to watch, this sitting President announced the details of the operation including everything but the very names of the operators and their families and then spent undue time trying to convince the Muslim world we "knew" Bin Laden was no leader of the Muslim people while, declaring that attention to his Islamic compliant burial was an attempt to not alienate the Muslim peoples of the world?!?

A rhetorical question: If Bin Laden really wasn't considered a leader amongst the vast majority of the Muslims peoples of the world and was in fact reviled by them for "hi-jacking" the religion; why would there be any concern how his "abused" remains might affect their judgment of us?

The point remains effectively the same; the civil servants in this country have subjugated the population of this country to the perverse desire of this sitting President to handle the Muslim enemies of this nation in a way that elevates the value of their lives above that of our Marines and Soldiers. In subjugating the population of this nation he makes the sovereign forces of this nation of no account and certainly of less value than the collective body of adherents to Islam. These "servants" are, in fact, guilty of the willful destruction of a government asset and because that asset is human - murder. Claiming ignorance of the well documented doctrines of the ideology that motivates all of the players on the ground in Afghanistan may give them sway in a court of civil law, but the ultimate judgment awaiting them will not be as merciful; in that I have great confidence!

In another story of perverse logic ruling the day, an ISAF medical evac helicopter was fired on by Taliban murderers while they (ISAF) were attempting to load an unidentified "soldier" onto the helicopter who had stepped on an IED - set by the Taliban. This caused the local American Commander to denounce it as an "un-Islamic" act?!…..So…setting IED's that might maim or kill women and children is an Islamic act? Of course the question raised by a friend and Marine Mother, M. J. Green was whether or not it was against the Geneva Conventions to do such a thing? The unequivocal answer is; yes it is. The greater question is why these non-uniformed murderers have been afforded the protection of the Geneva Conventions in the first place. They aren't covered by print or spirit of intent by the Conventions; period!

Folks; we are ten years into this battle and our well protected servants, from the confines of their air-conditioned offices have had enough time to become Islamic Scholars themselves. They have certainly had enough time to understand the ramifications of forcing sovereign US forces to patrol the streets of villages without hope of fire support or, in some cases even being able to return fire with the rifles they carry simply to ward off an attack. They have been witness to the 30 sons of American parents who have perished since December at the hands of Afghan's; Afghan's being trained by those very Soldiers who are attempting to train them to make Afghan lives and that of their families, safer and yet, the elected servants of this country remain silent and worse yet, even convinced, they are doing the right thing by refusing to accept the possibility that the religion is the motivator for the evil they do.

In this nation we have a right to Free Speech, Free Thought, and Self-Determination among others. These rights are emblazoned in the Ten Bill of Rights which are guarded by the United States Constitution and by extension, the oaths and lives of our Warriors.

Could there be a greater perversion of justice than to have our elected "servants" stand by idly while men of ill intent force these same Warriors to forfeit their very lives on the fields of Afghanistan, for a fantasy? Forcing them to provide "protection", at undue risk to themselves for a people who ideologically agree with the slaughter of those same Warriors? And yet, as the political rhetoric begins to ratchet up for yet another election cycle, there is barely a word about the war, the plight of our forces being pinned down by a faulty strategy and it's demonically spawned ROE. What is at the top of the agenda? Money!

People invariably ask what I would do then given my disgust for the current condition. Typically I haven't answered the question because the answer is painfully obvious. But for those who can't make the logical leap; here goes:

Take the two greatest weapons we have, out of the vault and place them back in the hands of the greatest military force this world has ever witnessed; Fear and Force!

Tell the "innocent" Afghan, the demonically inspired Taliban, the deranged Al Qaida operative, the corrupt government official, the Imam, the Cleric, the Tribal Elder, the "moderate" Muslim, the "Extremist", the True Soldier of Allah, the coward, the patriot, the militant and any other name you have a fancy to call them and tell them we are there because we are through being their "mission field". We are there to hold Al Qaida and all those who give them aid and comfort, accountable - we are going to find them and kill them regardless of where they hide. All those who choose to help may be spared; all those who choose another path, will leave children and women mourning over their carcasses.

This is war. It isn't a war we started, and it sure isn't something we can negotiate away. This is a holy war because the enemy has told us so. Just because our delicate western sensibilities can't allow some within our ranks to wrap their heads around it doesn't change that fact. So we can meet the enemy on a battle field of our choosing or we can wait for him to outlast us while we continue to fumble around trying to make nice with the devil.

One thing for sure, he is patient.

Are we ever going to be willing to do what must be done so our Marines and Soldiers can come home - and victorious?

6 comments:

Because NOBODY wants to address the true meaning of why we are engaged in this fight, it will never end. Bringing the troops home will never end it. OBL being killed will not end it. Only brute force will end it.The Arab Spring that the liberals are all so joyful about is just the tip of the iceberg in this war. They have just moved the bar and our politicians are too foolish to notice!

Islam has been at war with everyone for thousands of years, they lay low for a few hundred years and try again. That is what we are seeing now. There will never be peace as long as their Theo-political ideology exist. Muslims are bound by their religion, not their country, that is why it is so virulent.

Your perception is precisely correct on all points. The likelihood that anyone on this government - right or left is going to have an epiphany based on legitimate study and corresponding understanding of that simplistic truth you just stated, is highly unlikely, however. Hang on; it's going to be a rough ride

I, personally, trust that our honorable & brave soldiers will make the right decisions based on the situation presented to them at any given moment as they are trained to do. They are the ones out there on the battlefield. They are the ones that have observed with their own eyes, not through the oft-biased lens of the media, the behavior of the enemy & know how that enemy operates. They are there, in the midst of it. I applaud them.

They should be trusted & allowed to fight properly, as they've been trained to do, or be brought home. Period. I'm appalled at the idea that our brave men & women in the armed services are forced to look to a handbook of Rules of Engagement that, in light of the tactics utilized by the current aforementioned enemy, places them in a very clear & present danger.

For those that don't understand, here's a look at one of the more commonly known ROEs from an 'everyday' perspective: Imagine yourself on an ordinary day walking down the street with your family (you are armed as is your 2nd Amendment right). Out of nowhere, you find yourself & your loved ones slammed up against a wall, being held up at gunpoint, looking down the barrel of an assailant's gun, & WAITING... You &/or at least one of your loved ones are now most likely dead or in critical condition. Why? Because a book told you that you had to wait until your attacker shot first before you could use your weapon against your attacker. Sounds pretty ridiculous & suicidal, right? Well, essentially, this is a personalized translation of the "Do not fire until fired upon" ROE.

Think of the ROE what you will. Speaking for myself, will continue to trust in the honor & training of our troops that are placed in these types of situations every day & I will abhor anyone who chooses to prosecute them based on the ROE.

It may be business for the businessman; and even for the politician, but it is service to those who fight for the country. There is no greater reward, no money to make, no kingdoms to conquer, no palaces to build. It is simply serving because you are called.

This has to do with making a clarion call to that ever shrinking segment of this population who may yet possess that thing we call a conscience and to plead with that element of them to study and think before they cast their vote.

The reason it is important is because those who are serving with pristine intent are paying a price for arrogance and the lack of understanding of the enemy and a lack of desire to face a hard truth. And sooner or later; those voters who are not willing to think or even consider the possibility that 1 billion of the earth's population might believe in propagation by the sword, will eventually know-someone-in-harm's-way.

Then they will care and then they will be asking the questions they should be asking now; do we actually understand this enemy and their ideology?

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About Me

I spent 26 years in the USMC, both active and reserve and have spent 50 years in the trade. I characterize myself as a political conservative. I am a Christian and believe our country was founded, largely by Christian men and men who ascribed their beliefs to something far greater than themselves. I do not believe the US Constitution is a 'living document' anymore than I believe we can remain the United States of America should we choose to 'morph' into some other ideology, vision, or entity not consistent with the vision of the founders. I believe we have an innate responsibility to defend these shores, it's citizenry and especially the US Constitution and further believe the oath I took IS UNTO DEATH. I have been married for 30 years and have one daughter and one son (KIA Dahaneh 08/14/09)and who is now safe and resting in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I miss him!